Easy Crappie Gumbo w/ seafood

8 crappie fillets in 1" cubes
1 12 oz. jar of Ms. Kary's Roux
1 bag frozen chopped onion
1 bag frozen chopped green pepper
1 T chicken bullion powder
2 lbs frozen shrimp
2 4oz cans of crab meat
2 cans whole oysters
1 can chopped clams
Cajun seasoning/old bay to taste (1T)
Salt to taste (not much)
Black Pepper to taste (1/2 t)

In a large 8qt stock pot bring 1 gallon of water to a boil. Add onion, pepper, roux, crab and canning liquid, clams and canning liquid, and seasoning. Stir constantly until roux is fully dissolved/incorporated in the water. Slow boil/simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Add remaining ingredients and canning liquid to pot. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over rice.

Maybe it's just because I'm a "yankee", but I've never heard of Roux. What is it and where in the northern lattitudes might I find it? I love a good gumbo, but have never made my own - so that probably doesn't help matters either.

Joe

roux is a sauce base. Oil and flour slowly cooked until it turns a chocolate brown. However if you try to hurry it the flour will burn giving the base a very bitter burnt taste.

It's easy to make if you have 45 minutes that you want to sit and stir a skillet constantly. That's why I buy it.

It is located on the same aisle as the spices and salad dressings here. Kroger has it and I am sure other supermarkets do as well.